§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that several men, who have been employed for periods ranging from one to five years in the works department at Devonport Dockyard, have received notice of discharge, the notice to expire on Friday, 4th August; and whether, in view of their length of servitude, he will consider the possibility of allowing these men to take their discharge on Tuesday, 8th August, so as to give them the benefit of the holidays, with pay, to which they would have been entitled had they been discharged a week later?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe men referred to have already had their time of discharge extended from 29th July to the 3rd and 4th of this month. I regret that I cannot further defer the period of discharge as it would prejudicially affect other men.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand that men who have been working in the dockyard for five years are to be discharged on the eve of a bank holiday?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have given the hon. Gentleman the full answer to the question, and he will understand what the words convey.